What a load of pretentious twaddle!!! I don't really like mince-pies (well, not since I lost the recipe I got from Family Circle magazine about 25 years ago - it had mincemeat made with apples and Guiness, and pastry made with ground almonds and was amazing!), and if I get offered one I decline - since when was saying 'no thank you' to food you don't like rude?!!!
I could have a soap-box moment about the rest of the article too, but life's too short!!